title: Genotypic Characterization of Yersinia enterocolitica Biotype 4/O:3 Isolates from Pigs and Slaughterhouses Using SE-AFLP, ERIC-PCR, and PFGE.
abstract: Yersinia enterocolitica is a foodborne pathogen that causes illness in humans and animals. The biotype 4/O:3 has been commonly associated with yersiniosis and is characterized by the presence of chromosomal and extra-chromosomal virulence genes. Molecular typing methods have been successfully used to characterize Y. enterocolitica genetic heterogeneity and to study the epidemiology of the bacteria from different origins. In this study, 320 Y. enterocolitica biotype 4/O:3 isolates originating in pigs and slaughterhouses were characterized according to the virulence profile, and 61 isolates were typified through SE-AFLP, ERIC-PCR, and PFGE techniques. The majority of the isolates originated from pigs, and the predominant virulence profile was ail+ virF+ rfbC+ ystA+, representing 83.4% of the tested isolates. All of the Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3 isolates were positive for at least ystA gene. The SE-AFLP and ERIC-PCR patterns were highly homogeneous. The SE-AFLP was more discriminative than the ERIC-PCR and tended to cluster isolates according to the slaughterhouse. Despite the limited genetic diversity of Y. enterocolitica 4/O:3, PFGE was shown to be the most discriminative technique considering one band of difference. Fattening pigs proved to be an important reservoir of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4/O:3 carrying virulence genes.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Butantã, 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil ; Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas (FMU), Rua Ministro Nelson Hungria 541, 05690-050 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paixão
authors.forename: Luisa Zanolli
authors.initials: LZ
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Débora Dirani
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Sena de Gobbi
authors.forename: Daniele Cristine
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Raimundo
authors.forename: Thais Sebastiana Porfida
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Maria Garcia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Spindola
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: Cristhiane Moura
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Falavina Dos Reis
authors.forename: Maria Helena
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Matté
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Micke Moreno